Don't forget to get the truck bed cover. You won't regret it. If you gerry rig it you can place a tent over it and sleep under the cover itself instead of the ground and away from predators and insects. You can close it from the inside like Dracula.

(08-20-2026 09:40 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  Don't forget to get the truck bed cover. You won't regret it. If you gerry rig it you can place a tent over it and sleep under the cover itself instead of the ground and away from predators and insects. You can close it from the inside like Dracula.

Sounds like I would get claustrophobia, lol.

I have given a truck bed cover some thought, and def plan to get one, but just got the truck yesterday. I will probably wait until I get to South Dakota and get all the prelim paperwork and stuff done before getting it.

Just not enough time now. Helping my sis pack and load and babysit her Doxie, and leaving in a few minutes for Tupelo to pick up the trailer.

The next few days of my life are going to be interesting. Maybe most of them now, lol. At least for some period of time, until things settle down into some sort of routine. May take a while.

After I get to Sioux Falls and take care of all the moving into the state details, then I will amble down to the western part where all the fun stuff is. Then wander from there. Eventually. That's the extent of my trip planning so far, lol.

Been busy with a million other tasks up until now. I honestly don't think I have sat down and just screwed off in many many weeks, actually months, now. Okay with me, though. Keeps my mind off anything negative that might creep in.

When you get down around Arizona and New Mexico don't forget the chapstick. I had the worst case of chapped lips while traveling through there back in 66. I was just a kid and I was always licking my lips. It didn't look good.

(08-20-2026 02:51 PM)Redbanksdog Wrote:  When you get down around Arizona and New Mexico don't forget the chapstick. I had the worst case of chapped lips while traveling through there back in 66. I was just a kid and I was always licking my lips. It didn't look good.

Southern AZ will not show up on my radar until about mid-Oct or even November. By then, things should be easier on that front, but I will still heed your advice and bring plenty of chapstick. Can't hurt.

Just got back from Tupelo a few minutes ago, after being there from 12:45 pm until about 7 pm, with nothing to eat all day. After dinner, I drove my brand new truck home with a brand new 22' trailer tagging along behind us.

The RV place's usual lender turned us down b/c the dealer told them I was a full time RVer (which is true), and they refused to insure it, so the dealer had to find another lender, which took half the day.

But here I am, back in Memphis with my brand new F-150 pulling my brand new Grand Design travel trailer.

Tomorrow is packing day, and Saturday, I set out on the craziest adventure I have ever dreamed up in my 79 years on this planet.

(08-20-2026 09:52 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Just got back from Tupelo a few minutes ago, after being there from 12:45 pm until about 7 pm, with nothing to eat all day. After dinner, I drove my brand new truck home with a brand new 22' trailer tagging along behind us.

The RV place's usual lender turned us down b/c the dealer told them I was a full time RVer (which is true), and they refused to insure it, so the dealer had to find another lender, which took half the day.

But here I am, back in Memphis with my brand new F-150 pulling my brand new Grand Design travel trailer.

Tomorrow is packing day, and Saturday, I set out on the craziest adventure I have ever dreamed up in my 79 years on this planet.

I gotta admit I'm disappointed you bought a brand new truck. Although I guess at 79 who cares?

(08-21-2026 08:19 AM)b2b Wrote:  

(08-20-2026 09:52 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Just got back from Tupelo a few minutes ago, after being there from 12:45 pm until about 7 pm, with nothing to eat all day. After dinner, I drove my brand new truck home with a brand new 22' trailer tagging along behind us.

The RV place's usual lender turned us down b/c the dealer told them I was a full time RVer (which is true), and they refused to insure it, so the dealer had to find another lender, which took half the day.

But here I am, back in Memphis with my brand new F-150 pulling my brand new Grand Design travel trailer.

Tomorrow is packing day, and Saturday, I set out on the craziest adventure I have ever dreamed up in my 79 years on this planet.

I gotta admit I'm disappointed you bought a brand new truck. Although I guess at 79 who cares?

What is your issue with a new truck vs. a used one? The money spent? If I don't spend it, it just goes to my 2 step-daughters who squabble over everything, lol. And it's hard to halve a new truck.

Safe travels. Looking forward to seeing your adventure.

(08-21-2026 12:45 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-21-2026 08:19 AM)b2b Wrote:  

(08-20-2026 09:52 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Just got back from Tupelo a few minutes ago, after being there from 12:45 pm until about 7 pm, with nothing to eat all day. After dinner, I drove my brand new truck home with a brand new 22' trailer tagging along behind us.

The RV place's usual lender turned us down b/c the dealer told them I was a full time RVer (which is true), and they refused to insure it, so the dealer had to find another lender, which took half the day.

But here I am, back in Memphis with my brand new F-150 pulling my brand new Grand Design travel trailer.

Tomorrow is packing day, and Saturday, I set out on the craziest adventure I have ever dreamed up in my 79 years on this planet.

I gotta admit I'm disappointed you bought a brand new truck. Although I guess at 79 who cares?

What is your issue with a new truck vs. a used one? The money spent? If I don't spend it, it just goes to my 2 step-daughters who squabble over everything, lol. And it's hard to halve a new truck.

The most satisfying thing in my life was the day I said, screw the rainy day, if I can afford it, want it, buy it. Of course, that's other than personal "things". Spent 52 years of saying, maybe next year (when I could have easily afforded it).

While not knowing you or your finances, other than what you posted. I'm going guess at some point the nursing home (if you ever piss your sister off lol) will eat up most of your money. Spend it, let insurance or government worry about that bill. Never, ever, play the better not game, for something that might happen in the future. If you can afford it. Hopefully you have many years seeing this country. But at 80, your future is today, or tomorrow, next week....

Let the next year(s) worrying, happen when they get here

^^ Good advice. I'm with you. I'm on a budget that I can afford, and I'll go until I can't physically do it any more. However much time I have, I'll do my best to make the best of it.

Tomorrow is finally Launch Day! Headed from Collierville to Red Bud IL to spend the night on Day 1, on the way to Sioux Falls. Then from there to Blackwater MO for Night 2, with a few more to go after that.

I'm trying to keep each travel day under 200 miles to prevent fatigue.

(08-21-2026 06:44 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Tomorrow is finally Launch Day! Headed from Collierville to Red Bud IL to spend the night on Day 1, on the way to Sioux Falls. Then from there to Blackwater MO for Night 2, with a few more to go after that.

I'm trying to keep each travel day under 200 miles to prevent fatigue.

Sounds like a plan and every good man needs a plan.

(08-21-2026 06:44 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Tomorrow is finally Launch Day! Headed from Collierville to Red Bud IL to spend the night on Day 1, on the way to Sioux Falls. Then from there to Blackwater MO for Night 2, with a few more to go after that.

I'm trying to keep each travel day under 200 miles to prevent fatigue.

Wuss. I reckon I'll put the St. Christopher medallion I bought just for your new truck on my visor instead.

(08-23-2026 10:18 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(08-21-2026 06:44 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Tomorrow is finally Launch Day! Headed from Collierville to Red Bud IL to spend the night on Day 1, on the way to Sioux Falls. Then from there to Blackwater MO for Night 2, with a few more to go after that.

I'm trying to keep each travel day under 200 miles to prevent fatigue.

Wuss. I reckon I'll put the St. Christopher medallion I bought just for your new truck on my visor instead.

My first thought, TripleA is going to be a old man, by the time he gets out west....

I would at least double that 200 miles, when I'm 80. If Im just going from point A to point B most likely 600 miles. Maybe that changes, when I get 80. Hell Im just hoping to make it to mid 70s. Very few, around 10% in my family makes it to mid 70s

(08-21-2026 12:45 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-21-2026 08:19 AM)b2b Wrote:  

(08-20-2026 09:52 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Just got back from Tupelo a few minutes ago, after being there from 12:45 pm until about 7 pm, with nothing to eat all day. After dinner, I drove my brand new truck home with a brand new 22' trailer tagging along behind us.

The RV place's usual lender turned us down b/c the dealer told them I was a full time RVer (which is true), and they refused to insure it, so the dealer had to find another lender, which took half the day.

But here I am, back in Memphis with my brand new F-150 pulling my brand new Grand Design travel trailer.

Tomorrow is packing day, and Saturday, I set out on the craziest adventure I have ever dreamed up in my 79 years on this planet.

I gotta admit I'm disappointed you bought a brand new truck. Although I guess at 79 who cares?

What is your issue with a new truck vs. a used one? The money spent? If I don't spend it, it just goes to my 2 step-daughters who squabble over everything, lol. And it's hard to halve a new truck.

That's why I walked it back. I was looking at this through the eyes of a man in his 40's in the busiest season of his life. I'd probably do the same thing.

I'm with b2b and I'm not in my 40s. I'd never ever buy a new vehicle again. That's just me though and I'd never ever tell Andy what to do. If he wants a new truck he should damn well buy a new truck.

You guys driving 400 or 600 miles a day, go right ahead, I did plenty of that when I was younger. Then I got older. And smarter, lol.

And I would never buy a used vehicle again. I bought one when I was in my 20s out of necessity, and it was an absolute piece of **** that cost me money I never had.

Since then, I have bought all new, and never had an issue. Yes, I left money on the table by driving it new off the lot, but I also bought piece of mind.

Back to the trip. Three days in. Pretty much a disaster.

First day, I managed to leave my card at a winery where I visited, then had to pay cash for my hotel room. Then I had to drive 162 miles r/t on Day 2 to retrieve my card.

Now on Day 3, I'm in Omaha, and earlier today I got hit by a huge gust of prairie wind that almost tipped my trailer over. Both left wheels came off the pavement at 60+ mph, then the trailer rocked back and forth off the ground 2 more times before selling back on the pavement. Thought I had just bought it for good.

When I arrived safely at the next exit, I called my trailer dealer and told them they can have their wind sail back. The manager said he would get back to me with options. No word yet. Gonna be a fight, I'm sure.

I'm still headed to South Dakota to take care of business, then probably right back to Tupelo to stick that trailer where the sun don't shine. Yeah, wind blows trailers, but it shouldn't be enough to kill you, lol.

My next possible move is to buy a hardshell pop-up truck camper to install in the bed of my F-150.

(08-24-2026 06:01 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Back to the trip. Three days in. Pretty much a disaster.

First day, I managed to leave my card at a winery where I visited, then had to pay cash for my hotel room. Then I had to drive 162 miles r/t on Day 2 to retrieve my card.

Now on Day 3, I'm in Omaha, and earlier today I got hit by a huge gust of prairie wind that almost tipped my trailer over. Both left wheels came off the pavement at 60+ mph, then the trailer rocked back and forth off the ground 2 more times before selling back on the pavement. Thought I had just bought it for good.

When I arrived safely at the next exit, I called my trailer dealer and told them they can have their wind sail back. The manager said he would get back to me with options. No word yet. Gonna be a fight, I'm sure.

I'm still headed to South Dakota to take care of business, then probably right back to Tupelo to stick that trailer where the sun don't shine. Yeah, wind blows trailers, but it shouldn't be enough to kill you, lol.

My next possible move is to buy a hardshell pop-up truck camper to install in the bed of my F-150.

I hate that you had issues starting out.

(08-24-2026 06:01 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Back to the trip. Three days in. Pretty much a disaster.

First day, I managed to leave my card at a winery where I visited, then had to pay cash for my hotel room. Then I had to drive 162 miles r/t on Day 2 to retrieve my card.

Now on Day 3, I'm in Omaha, and earlier today I got hit by a huge gust of prairie wind that almost tipped my trailer over. Both left wheels came off the pavement at 60+ mph, then the trailer rocked back and forth off the ground 2 more times before selling back on the pavement. Thought I had just bought it for good.

When I arrived safely at the next exit, I called my trailer dealer and told them they can have their wind sail back. The manager said he would get back to me with options. No word yet. Gonna be a fight, I'm sure.

I'm still headed to South Dakota to take care of business, then probably right back to Tupelo to stick that trailer where the sun don't shine. Yeah, wind blows trailers, but it shouldn't be enough to kill you, lol.

My next possible move is to buy a hardshell pop-up truck camper to install in the bed of my F-150.

Wow, I know that had to be scary as hell. How about one of those old silver bullet looking campers.